Theoretical and empirical research suggests that we generally find low brightness environments pleasing under low color temperatures, while high brightness environments tend to be more pleasing under higher color temperatures. What is the relationship between illuminance and color temperature? In this example, both bulb families have the same brightness, but have different color temperature options, and the two specifications should be understood as two different concepts. For example, we offer a line of A19 LED bulbs under our CENTRIC HOME™ line which feature 800 lumens at 2700K and 3000K, but also a very similar product under the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ line which have color temperatures of 4000K, 5000K and 6500K, also with the same 800 lumen output. Unlike incandescent bulbs, for LED bulbs, brightness and color temperature are completely independent of each other in terms of their specifications. As the bulb is dimmed, the color temperature gradually drops from 2700K, all the way down to 2000K and below.įrom a technical lighting science perspective, brightness and color temperature are two distinct properties that separately describe quantity and quality, respectively. This is completely understandable and even intuitive, given that incandescent bulbs exhibit a dimming curve that shows a clear, positive relationship between brightness and color temperature. The thing to keep in mind here, is that it can be tempting to describe higher color temperature light sources as "brighter" than warmer color temperature light sources, even if they have the same lumen output. It is generally described as being "warmer" for values that are closer to 2700K that mimic the soft, warm glow of incandescent lighting, while being "cooler" for values higher than 4000K that mimic the crisper color tones of natural daylight. Just knowing the lumen output alone would not be enough to know if its brightness is sufficient we also need to know more about the space such as the room's dimensions.Ĭolor temperature, measured in degrees Kelvin (K), tells us about the apparent color of the light source. Lumen output, on the other hand, is a measurement that concerns the light bulb itself. Illuminance is measured at a particular point such as table top surface, and can be affected by things like the distance away from, as well as the orientation of the light bulb. 60 watt), which are commonly cited metrics that refer to a bulb's light output. 800 lumens) or incandescent wattage equivalent (e.g. Keep in mind that illuminance is different from lumen output (e.g. When we refer to the term "brightness," the illuminance value is what we ultimately care about, because the amount of light reflecting off of objects is what determines whether or not the lighting levels are sufficient for activities such as reading, cooking, or artwork. Illuminance, measured in lux, tells us how much light falls onto a particular surface. What exactly is the relationship, and how can you be sure that your lighting installation provides not only optimal levels of brightness, but the right levels of brightness given a particular color temperature? Read on to find out! What is the difference between illuminance and color temperature?īefore we dive into the core question of the relationship between illuminance (lux) and color temperature (degrees Kelvin), we'll clarify exactly what we mean by these two terms as well as differences, since surprisingly, the two concepts are quite intertwined and can get a bit confusing. While many people approach the questions of quantity and quality separately, research suggests that there is a very strong relationship between brightness and color temperature when it comes to lighting environments that we find pleasing or comfortable. Once the brightness needs are estimated, the second step, then, generally becomes about the quality of light: " which color temperature should I choose?" or "do I need a high CRI light bulb?" The first step is typically about determining the quantity of light needed, and may involve questions like, " how many lumens do I need?" based on the activities being performed in the space, as well as personal preferences. When planning lighting for a space, many people take a disjointed, two-step approach in determining their lighting needs.
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